East Africa is experiencing rapid urbanization and economic development which is increasing the production of municipal solid waste (MSW) that has increased a strain on urban infrastructure, environmental systems and already limited energy networks. The existing linear models of waste-management, mostly found on collection and disposal, have increased landfill reliance, methane emissions, and resource wastes. Circular economy (CE) strategies in their turn provide the systemic approach to turning waste flows into secondary resources and at the same time enhancing urban energy security and low-carbon transitions. The paper is a systematic review of circular-economy solutions to MSW management in Djibouti, Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and Tanzania. In accordance with PRISMA 2020, 121 peer-reviewed and grey literature sources published in 2013-2024 were reviewed. It is evaluated on the trend of waste-generation, the potential of energy-recovery, policy frameworks, adoption of technology, as well as institutional capacity. The present level of waste production is 0.45-0.85 kg/capita/day, and it can rise up to 70% by 2030 with the business-as-usual conditions. This result suggests that there is a significant energy recovery potential in anaerobic digestion, composting, and waste-to-energy systems, which will decrease landfill dependency, reduce the impact of methane emissions, and diversify urban energy. Nevertheless, the large-scale realization is still blocked by the disjointed regulatory frameworks, infrastructural gaps, lack of financing mechanisms and poor integration of waste management and national energy planning. The need to coordinate governance reforms, mobilize investment, and collaborate on a regional level is identified by this study as the result of redefining municipal waste as a strategic element of urban energy systems and climate policy. The transition pathways into the future should focus on the gradual and hybrid circular systems, which are consistent with the institutional preparedness, and the gradual incorporation of the innovative technologies as the regulatory and infrastructural capacities are developed. The insights give a policy-based roadmap of moving to zero-waste and low-carbon urban transitions in East Africa. • Urban waste management is reframed as a strategic component of energy security in East African cities. • Circular economy–based interventions show strong potential to reduce emissions and landfill dependence. • Waste-to-energy and material recovery can diversify urban energy supply while supporting climate goals. • Policy fragmentation, infrastructure gaps, and financing barriers remain the main constraints to scalability. • Integrated governance and public–private partnerships are critical for advancing zero-waste city transitions.
Bai et al. (Sun,) studied this question.